THE SAFARI COMPANY

Africa for Travellers, not Tourists

Unrivalled Experience

Unlimited Knowledge

Africa for travellers, not tourists

If you would like to experience Africa whilst staying in magnificent little game lodges, a safari tent, a beach villa or exquisite little farmhouses rather than larger hotel chains, The SAFARI Company is right for you.

The SAFARI Company is a small ownerrun company that prides itself in designing 100% tailored safari & beach holidays throughout Africa whilst staying in little magnificent places, even for the more economical traveller. Our rates are extremely competitive: we are so confident about this, that if you find a lower rate elsewhere, we will match that rate… or offer less.

We use a wide range of accommodation options from adventurous camping & self-catering safari homes to beach villas & luxurious safari lodges; our ability to do this is due to our thorough knowledge of Africa, its places and its accommodations.

How would you like to get from one place to the next? In a 4x4 vehicle with a fully trained guide; flying in a private aircraft; in a helicopter; from the back of a camel or maybe a horse; on a motorbike, a bicycle or a quad bike .. or a bit of everything? The options are many.

We genuinely tailor-make every holiday. If you tell us a little bit about you and what you are looking for, we will design everything to suit you. It is easily possible to combine a wildlife safari with other interests such as the beach, golfing, motorcycling, quad biking, horse riding, camel trekking, walking safaris, cultural experiences, ornithological trips, photographic safaris, charitable safaris .. the list is endless.

All of us at The SAFARI Company have children, ranging from 2 to 27! We KNOW what children want and need on safari. Our family safaris offer you the chance to spend quality time together in the most unique settings, as well as giving you some peace and quiet. You can enjoy with your children or they can enjoy with other children … tracking animals on foot? Making sculptures with termite clay? Fishing? Painting, drawing, sculpting? Visiting a dairy, collecting chicken eggs? A swimming pool! The list is endless, but just to let you know, we understand children!

Our daily challenge is to find magnificent places for you to stay, incredible guides to accompany you & life-changing experiences whilst you travel with us. Our HQ is in Nairobi, Kenya, so our core business is here, but we have no boundaries to our knowledge apart from the outline of Africa! Our Sales & Marketing team has been to every country we promote and well over 1,000 lodges, villas, camps etc. Trust us, honestly we know our stuff ….. talking about knowing our stuff, let us move swiftly onto the authentic professionals; our trusted, wonderful, knowledgeable ‘Safari Guides’. You will always have an excellent driver/guide accompanying you, but if you would like to get the very best possible experience out of your African safari, we highly recommend you take with you, a ‘Professional Guide’, these incredibly knowledgeable people will guide you throughout your safari and believe me they know every animal, bird, historical fact and blade of grass intimately. Honestly the extra cost is worth it! Andrew specialises in fishing safaris, Simon in ornithological safaris, Paul in photographic safaris .. plus many more (i.e. Pete & Alex) that offer incredible overall knowledge.

We are aware that Africa can feel a long way away, on a different planet maybe, so we have someone in your neighbourhood that you can speak to. To find your nearest consultant, please see the consultant map. We can help you in these languages - English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili & Swedish

DIRECTORS - Chania & Roger are Kenya’s tourism pros and launched this company together in 2010

The Marketer - Chania is passionate about travelling, she is passionate about Africa and her motto in life is 'laughter is the best medicine'. In 2016, Chania won two awards, Africa’s most prestigious awards for women, Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government 2016 awards:

· Kenya’s Most Influential Woman in Tourism and Leisure 2016
· East Africa’s Most Influential Woman in Tourism and Leisure 2016

Life in General - She was brought up on a tea estate in Kericho, Kenya's highlands. Though she lived in Kenya all her life, she went to school in Dorset, UK and university in Cardiff, Wales before moving back to Kenya in 1997 to pursue her career in tourism which meant travelling around the world promoting her beloved country. Chania now lives in Nakuru in the Great Rift Valley with her husband and two little children.

Life in Travel - Chania has worked in travel and tourism since 1995, she’s worked in lodges, hotels, wildlife documentary's and marketed just about any product that needed marketing ... until she tripped into her passion, marketing Kenya. Chania has represented numerous fabulous lodges including Shompole and Alfajiri, Cottars 1920’s and Manda Bay before developing fully informational visitors maps of Kenya (Chamchela Maps) and setting up her ultimate passion, The SAFARI Company…. The first company in Kenya so promote safaris whilst staying at wonderful little properties for all budgets.

Life in General – Roger was brought up in Kisii and went to school in Kericho and Nairobi. Afterwards he went to college in Dundee and ended up as a croupier for a year before retuning to Kenya for my career in tourism.

Life in Travel – In 1973 Roger joined Southern Cross Safaris. After a stint in Nairobi, he ventured out into the ‘bush’, where he lived on Ol Pejeta working for Adnan Kashaoggi for eight years, then Universal Safari Tours for five years, Block Hotels for six years and owned Bunson Travel Service until 2008. It’s all been travel...and loved every minute of it !!!

SALES & MARKETING TEAM - Our incredible team (based in Kenya, the US and the UK) who will artfully put together a perfect tailor-made holiday for you.

The Marketer - Chania is passionate about travelling, she is passionate about Africa and her motto in life is 'laughter is the best medicine'. In 2016, Chania has been nominated for Africa’s most prestigious award for women - Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business &/or Government, 2016.

Life in General - She was brought up on a tea estate in Kericho, Kenya's highlands. Though she lived in Kenya all her life, she went to school in Dorset, UK and university in Cardiff, Wales before moving back to Kenya in 1997 to pursue her career in tourism which meant travelling around the world promoting her beloved country. Chania now lives in Nakuru in the Great Rift Valley with her husband and two little children.

Life in Travel - Chania has worked in travel and tourism since 1995, she’s worked in lodges, hotels, wildlife documentary's and marketed just about any product that needed marketing ... until she tripped into her passion, marketing Kenya. Chania has represented numerous fabulous lodges including Shompole and Alfajiri, Cottars 1920’s and Manda Bay before developing fully informational visitors maps of Kenya (Chamchela Maps) and setting up her ultimate passion, The SAFARI Company…. The first company in Kenya so promote safaris whilst staying at wonderful little properties for all budgets.

Traveller - I love travelling, and though I have not travelled outside East Africa, I believe East Africa, especially Kenya has everything one can dream of in terms adventure. The wildlife, beaches, cultures are extensive, making each destination unpredictable and fun. Kenya has the equator cutting across, so one can experience both the northern and southern hemisphere. This and many more makes it worthwhile for any adventurer to experience first-hand.

Life in General - I was born in Nakuru, Kenya and relocated to different parts of Kenyas central province which was where I grew up. I later came to Nairobi for my studies in tourism and eventually my work in tourism.

Life in Travel - having worked in different tours and travel companies, I have not only gained extensive knowledge in the tourism industry but my passion has been greatly heightened. Nothing is more contenting than making peoples dreams come true through what you love doing most; this for me is planning peoples dream holidays.

Marketing & Travel Consultant: Josy is based in Gloucestershire in the UK but first fell in love with Africa through hearing stories through her school friends. She’s travelled extensively through Sub-Saharan Africa and has a real passion for the people & the wildlife. She loves to find the “right” safari for clients according to their preferences.

Life in general: Josy was bought up in the UK and first travelled to Africa aged 19 years. She was lucky enough to travel through Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe & South Africa in a land rover with 3 other people. This is where her passion for Africa was born. She went onto study travel & tourism and worked for numerous small Tour Operators specialising in tailor made travel to Africa.

Life in travel: After working for a few African Tour Operators in the UK and also working at Ants Nest in South Africa, Josy left the Travel Industry to have a family but she is now back in the safari seat with The Safari Company.

Life in General Ginny grew up in the Lake District in the north of England and spent most of her youth climbing mountains or riding horses. She read English at Trinity College, Dublin and then lived and worked in London as an actress and singer for fifteen years.
In 2008, curious to see what all the fuss was about, she followed her brother to Kenya and immediately fell in love with the country and its people (one in particular, to whom she is now married).
For the last five years, Ginny has been teaching English and Drama in local schools and is passionate about creative writing. She is looking forward to December 2016 when she is set to publish her first novel for children about an English Maasai, meeting his Kenyan family for the first time.
She lives with her husband and two young children in Karen, Nairobi and loves nothing more than a walking or riding safari in which she can learn new facts about the flora and fauna of Kenya and the culture of its people.

ACCOUNTS – well, everyone needs them!

OUR GUIDES – For the ultimate safari, a professional guide will teach you how to really enjoy the bush!

Life in General Simon lives in the leafy Karen suburb of Nairobi, Kenya, with his wife , his son and daughter , both of whom are studying overseas in UK.

Life in Guiding - With over 25 years field experience across all of East Africa, Simon has guided private, bespoke safaris for many discerning clients to the wildest places either side of the equator. Having gained a Zoology/Ecology Honours degree eons ago, from London University, he is now keen to share his passion for Africa's fauna and flora, with guests who wish to experience all the wilderness has to offer. Being a qualified member of the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association, an avid birder & mammal behaviour specialist has enabled Simon to accompany a range of guests from private individuals and small family groups , to specialists in their field. He is an active conservationist having been directly involved in protecting and saving habitats and species in the Mara, in Northern Kenya and at the Sokoke Forest on the Kenya coast

Life in General Paul is UK born and bred but has spent the last 20 years living and working as a wildlife and travel photographer in East and Central Africa. Paul lives with his wife and two boys in Usa River, a subub of Arusha, Tanzania. He is exceptionally great company, a lot of fun and a truly excellent photographer & guide.

Life in Photography & Guiding - Paul’s work has been widely published and he has several wildlife and travel photography books demonstrating the breadth of his photography knowledge and diversity of his life experiences. At the very heart of his photography is an exuberant passion for Africa and having travelled extensively throughout the East African region, Paul is fluent in Swahili, is a Tanzanian citizen and has an insightful perception of local cultures. He also has a deep and passionate interest in wildlife and birdlife adding an extra dimension to the photographic angle he brings. Paul is also the founder of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, launched in 2015 to wonderful worldwide coverage. The most important thing though is that Paul loves sharing the bush with likeminded, fun-loving people.

Life in General Alex lives on Diani Beach, on the southern coast of Kenya with his wife and daughter. Alex was born and bred in Africa, he lives for Africa and he lives by Africa.

Life in Guiding - Alex has been in this safari lifestyle for over 20 years and just loves to share his time and knowledge of the African bush. A safari with him is an unforgettable experience due to his passion, humour and general positive ambience, he loves capturing the beauty that is his big back yard, from the forests of The Congo to the flat plains of the Masai Mara; Africa is his home and his playground, come play!

Life in General Andrew has always been an avid fisherman. On childhood safaris to far-flung parts of East Africa he would always make sure a fishing rod was packed, and he inevitably proved skeptical wrong by appearing out of the evening dusk with a fish or two where everyone had doubted there were any. His childhood hobby burgeoned over the years to become his life’s passion.

Andrew is a committed environmentalist with an immense passion not only for angling, but for the environment and in particular fostering and nurturing the local peoples to protect and thus benefit from the beautiful rivers, streams and lakes that they live around. He is as at home in a deep sea fishing boat catching sailfish on a home-made fly as he is waist deep in a misty tarn high on Mount Kenya pitching his wits against a wily trout, or chasing tiger fish and Nile Perch in the Jade Sea of the northern deserts.

Life of Fishing Andrew’s lifelong passion for angling has developed his understanding of the fish in East Africa, their breeding and feeding habits into something verging on encyclopedic. Andrew is, even now, forever looking to discover new places to fish; African fish species catalogued by Victorian explorers and not seen since are a constant goal, and the joy he gets from discovering a stream, river or lake high in the mountains or deep in the northern deserts that yields a fish or two is an inspiration to all. He is forever pushing the envelope, and the epic safaris his family and clients undertake at his insistence, often entailing towing a boat hundreds of miles away across very inhospitable terrain over several days, are a testament to his love of fishing.

Andrew has always been a stickler for the rules; how to tie the right knot, how to rig the bait correctly and from a very early age he was a strong proponent of ‘catch and release’. He is a fund of knowledge on IGFA rules and regulations, and for years has been educating all who would listen (and many who would not) on rules concerning rods, rigs and tackle, handling, weighing and safe release of live healthy fish. He has certainly instilled in us the ethos of conservation of fishing environments, and wherever we travel he invests a great deal of time talking to local tribesmen and fishermen explaining the long term advantages of habitat conservation for sustainable long-term fishing, and training locals in the benefits to be had from creating or conserving a habitat conducive to attracting ‘fishing tourists’, and the resultant income-generation potential to them and their families.

He is the most committed, knowledgeable and conscientious fisherman we know and his decision to start to guide fishing safaris and study more fish will benefit us all (and the future of fish).

Life in General Ginny grew up in the Lake District in the north of England and spent most of her youth climbing mountains or riding horses. She read English at Trinity College, Dublin and then lived and worked in London as an actress and singer for fifteen years.
In 2008, curious to see what all the fuss was about, she followed her brother to Kenya and immediately fell in love with the country and its people (one in particular, to whom she is now married).
For the last five years, Ginny has been teaching English and Drama in local schools and is passionate about creative writing. She was recently short-listed for the prestigious Times / Chicken House Children’s fiction completion and is now looking forward to July 2018 when Chicken House publish her first novel for children about an English Maasai, meeting his Kenyan family for the first time.
She lives with her husband and two young children in Karen, Nairobi and loves nothing more than a walking or a riding safari in which she can learn new facts about the flora and fauna of Kenya and the culture of its people.

SAFARI CONSULTANTS – Our people in your neighbourhood, if you want to speak to someone close to you or in your language (French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish), please find your special person here.

Your Specialist in Dubai - Anne loves to pass her enthusiasm for Africa onto others. Once you have lived in, or even just made a trip to Africa, its magic stays with you forever.

Life in General - She was born and brought up in North Kenya on a cattle ranch, leaving for school and university in the UK and returning to Kenya in 1996. Anne moved to Dubai five years ago with her husband and three children, but heads back to Kenya as often as she possibly can.

Life in Travel - With a degree in Travel and Tourism Management, Anne has worked in the business since 1996, firstly in sales and marketing for two safari companies in Kenya, before setting up and running her own small Tour Operating business from 2000 to 2005. She is very excited to be joining The SAFARI Company team in helping people organise trips of a lifetime to Africa.

The food addict - If Christiane had a motto she would borrow Rudyard Kipling’s words “The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it” and she would add to it “and to taste its food”.

Life in general - Christianewas born and brought up in Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Neuchatel. As a young girl she was enthralled by the letters she received from her godmother who lived in Africa. She was quickly nicknamed “the African girl” as she developed a strong interest in African cultures and would wear as many necklaces and bracelets as some African tribes do.

Life in travel - Christiane worked for a humanitarian organization and was sent to Rwanda in 1994. Even though it was an extremely hard time, as soon as she set foot on the African continent she felt an immediate connection. She has since lived and worked in almost every East African country as well as some West African ones eventually settling in Kenya in 2000.

Life in General Simon lives in the leafy Karen suburb of Nairobi, Kenya, with his wife , his son and daughter , both of whom are studying overseas in UK.

Life in Guiding - With over 25 years field experience across all of East Africa, Simon has guided private, bespoke safaris for many discerning clients to the wildest places either side of the equator. Having gained a Zoology/Ecology Honours degree eons ago, from London University, he is now keen to share his passion for Africa's fauna and flora, with guests who wish to experience all the wilderness has to offer. Being a qualified member of the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association, an avid birder & mammal behaviour specialist has enabled Simon to accompany a range of guests from private individuals and small family groups , to specialists in their field. He is an active conservationist having been directly involved in protecting and saving habitats and species in the Mara, in Northern Kenya and at the Sokoke Forest on the Kenya coast

About Debbie - Debbie is a born African! A true African can never stay away for too long…there will always be a constant hunger to get back and feel the African soil between your toes, to smell the dust as the rain beats down on the rich soil! It is her passion to share this beautiful continent with others.

Life in General - Debbie was born and raised in South Africa. Being married to an Engineer has had her living in almost every region of this beautiful country, from the Cape to Northern Natal. She also spent six years living in Magadi, the lowest point of the Rift Valley in Kenya. Debbie is currently living in Broederstroom at Hartbeespoort Dam, South Africa.

Life in Travel - Debbie got involved with travel by default. Being as passionate as she is about Africa, Debbie has constantly found herself ferrying tourists around. Through this, she found her true passion. Debbie is thrilled to be joining The SAFARI Company team and being able to offer her clients so much more than before!

Life In General - Linda was born and brought up in Western Kenya and has lived here all her life, she is a second generation Kenyan. She completed her studies in South Africa and then went to Art College in England.

Life In Travel - Linda has a family who have always been mad on safaris – so she spent much of her early life in a tent … somewhere! She has a son who is an avid butterfly collector so has travelled throughout Kenya, to many ‘out of the way’ places. Linda is looking forward to introducing others to this wonderful country!

Mother of 4 who loves a challenge – With only two living at home still, one currently in Canada and one in China.

Life in General – Lise loves a challenge. With her husband they have had a country house hotel with 2 restaurants in the UK, they have renovated a large property in the South of France and still run it as an exclusive hotel / B&B. Lise is British, but born and raised in Borneo she has lived in Malaysia - UK - Switzerland - Caribbean - Bangkok and currently the south of France.

Life in Travel – Lise loves to travel, to see new places, to try new food, to meet all kinds of people and experience lots of different things. She would love you to experience the Africa she loves.

The Fun Loving Traveller – What she loves most in the world is to spend time laughing and chatting with friends, if this can be mixed with discovering a secret beach, doing a hike through a forest, if she can spot game as well, it will be the best of the times!

Life in General – She was born in Barcelona, Spain, where she studied Anthropology, Sociology and International Development as her Master’s degree. She lived in California and Mexico, where she discovered her passion in working with the indigenous communities for preserving their cultures through sustainable development. She lived for many years in West Africa and now in Kenya, at the slopes of the Menengai Crater, overlooking Lake Nakuru National Park.

Life in Travel Since a very young age she had the opportunity to travel to many countries, falling in love with the tropical forests of Southern Mexico. She has travelled to many countries in Africa, learning the local languages, developing eco-tourism projects and making good friends wherever she has been.

The Safari Expert 'Nothing ever becomes real until it is experienced' is Katrina's belief. Travel is an important part of Katrina's life and she wants other people to have the privilege of sharing her experiences.

Life in General – She was born and brought up in Kenya but educated in the UK. After marrying in 2007 she moved to Laos for 5 great years, but returned home in 2012 to Kenya. Katrina now lives in the Karen suburb of Nairobi.

Life in Travel – Katrina worked in travel and tourism for 6 years in Kenya specializing in arranging Incentive travel and Festivals in the Masai Mara. She loved her work and was so very sad to leave when she went to Laos, however since she has returned home she has re-joined forces with The SAFARI Company to promote travel around Africa.

Life in General - Helena is originally Swedish but she has lived in Africa for over 30 years, 26 of those in Kenya, which she loves! She loves dealing with the social marketing of Kenya in Sweden when she visits that land of the Midnight Sun, her birthplace. Every year when she returns to her roots, people always ask her about life in Kenya. She is now determined to convince them to come out and see for themselves!

Before getting married to Brian, a veterinarian, she actually studied marketing at Uppsala University, and then went on to specialise in human nutrition. The couple now enjoys an active semi-retirement lifestyle on the heights above Gilgil (in the Great Rift Valley). This now includes persuading fellow frozen countrymen to come down and explore Kenya!

About Michaela - Michaela is third generation born in Kenya, but now lives in LA with her family.

Life in General - Michaela lived in Kiambu, on the edge of Nairobi where her great grandparents were coffee farmers, and her grandparents and parents were in business. Her family left Kenya in 1983, and then lived in Australia, Paris, Muscat, Dubai, London and now Los Angeles. Michaela is married to a well-travelled movie exec Brit with 2 boys - so she is a part time worker with a couple of longer leaves of absence during the year (= school holidays). Michaela and her family visit Kenya regularly for the perfect relaxing beach and breathtaking safari holiday, although she'd always love it to be more often.

Life in Travel - Michaela studied economics at university in Australia but has worked in marketing ever since, with a focus on digital; website management and all it entails. Michaela now enjoys working in travel, as being so far away from Kenya, it gives her an excuse to talk about her birthplace.